Abandoned Baby Law

The Illinois Senate unanimously voted 58 to 0 to repeal the sunset provision to end the Newborn Protection Act in 2007.

The Act grants parents immunity from criminal prosecution if they safely abandon their infant within 72 hours of birth at designated "safe havens," including hospitals, fire stations and police stations.

To make the law permanent two pieces of legislation have been written to remove the clause. One passed out of the House several weeks ago and Wednesday legislation passed out of the Senate.

According to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, there have been 22 abandoned infants statewide that have been left at safe havens since the law took effect in 2001.

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